Union tells American Airlines pilots not to fly to strife-torn Venezuela
American Airlines pilots have been told by their union not to fly to Venezuela as further chaos grips the South American country.
The US State Department halted operations at its Embassy in Caracas and advised all Americans to leave.
"Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens," the State Department said in the level 4 warning.
However, American Airlines is still officially operating flights to the Venezuela capital from Miami.
The latest turmoil in the country has led to the Allied Pilots Association telling its members to refuse duty.
"Until further notice, if you are scheduled, assigned, or reassigned a pairing into Venezuela, refuse the assignment," it said.
Pilots assigned the route should inform the chief pilot or IOC duty pilot as well as the union.
The union represents about 15,000 American pilots.
The airline is the last remaining US carrier still operating flights to the country and has so far declined to comment.
However it will likely suspend the service in view of dire State Department warning and the action by the union.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants fully backed the pilot union’s decision.
"Of course without the pilots, the flight’s not operating," said Lori Bassani, APFA president.
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